Could Jarvis Cocker flashing hit Brit Awards again?

From on-stage scuffles to a politicians attacked with water and off-colour gags about the Iraq war, the Brit Awards have had their fair share of controversy over the years.

After the live broadcast of last year’s show, ITV received hundreds of complaints as host Russell Brand joked about the so-called “friendly fire” death of a British soldier.

It was the first time in over a decade that the awards were televised live, and the antics of numerous artists down the years explain why.

In 1992, the KLF, who were named best band, hatched a plan to throw buckets of blood at the audience.

They abandoned this on the advice of lawyers, and instead fired blank rounds from a machine gun at spectators before leaving the stage with the message “KLF have left the music industry”.

Later that evening they dumped a dead sheep at the official post-awards dinner.

Two years later, the band – renamed the K Foundation – attempted to burn £1 million on a remote Scottish island.

The age of Britpop brought the Brits their most famous night of controversy in 1996, when Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker stormed the stage as Michael Jackson performed his “Earth Song” accompanied by a chorus of children.

Cocker was grabbed by security and arrested – but not before wiggling his backside at the audience – and Jackson said he felt “sickened, saddened, shocked, upset, cheated and angry” at the “disgusting and cowardly” stage invasion.

But after he was finally released from custody at 3am, Cocker stood by his protest, saying: “My actions were a form of protest at the way Michael Jackson sees himself as some Christ-like figure with the power of healing.”

The lanky frontman accused the music industry of indulging Jackson’s fantasies “even though they know it’s a bit sick”.

He told Chris Evans’ now-defunct Channel 4 show TFI Friday that the comedian Bob Mortimer, a qualified solicitor, had intervened with police on his behalf.

“Bob Mortimer used to work for Peckham Council in the legal department so he offered to speak in my defence and deal with the legal aspects of the case,” he said.

“All the policemen kept asking him for his autograph.” At the same ceremony, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher berated INXS singer Mick Hutchence, who was presenting the Manchester band with an award, saying “has beens shouldn’t be giving awards to gonna-bes”.

In 1998, Danbert Nobacon of the band Chumbawumba almost got a Tubthumping after throwing a bucket of iced water at former amateur boxer and deputy prime minister John Prescott.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Liam Gallagher featured in another on-stage spat in 2000, when Robbie Williams upped the ante in their ongoing feud.

After collecting an award, the former Take That singer challenged the Oasis frontman to a televised boxing match for £100,000.

At the same ceremony, a clearly well-refreshed DJ Brandon Block mistakenly went up to the stage to collect an award while Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood was trying to present the “best soundtrack” award.

The pair squared up to each other and traded insults, before Wood threw a glass of water into Block’s face.

It was also notable as the year Channel 4’s Countdown number-cruncher Carol Vorderman turned up dressed in tight black leather with spiky hair.